For the 10th consecutive month employment in Newfoundland and Labrador has increased while the unemployment rate continues to decline.

Employment has increased by one per cent to stand at 222,200. The unemployment rate has decreased by 2.2 percentage points to 13.7per cent.

"Currently, employment levels are now higher and the unemployment rate is lower than during the height of the construction boom at the Hibernia and Terra Nova projects," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "We are seeing job creation occur, both in terms of full and part-time positions, and we continue to see the unemployment rate fall to historically low levels in our province."

The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment is helping people connect to this growth through investments to expand access to employment and career supports and measures to retain new graduates.

In Budget 2007, $500,000 is provided to hire 10 career information officers to work with teachers and guidance counselors to provide relevant career and labour market information to students to help them make informed choices regarding their future. As well, approximately $1 million is being invested to expand career and employment services into rural areas with the establishment of a network of dedicated Career Information Resource Centres. Another $1 million is made available to double the number of post-secondary students who access the Graduate Retention Program in establishing their career in this province. As well, in May the department launched a new provincial labour market web site, www.LMIworks.nl.ca.

The Provincial Government is making unprecedented investments in education and skills training as part of the goal to sustain momentum and strengthen the conditions for long-term economic and job growth.

"Education is crucial to our overall success as a province," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education. "Over $1 billion will be spent in education this year � a reflection of this government�s commitment to make sure we are preparing our students for the opportunities that lie ahead."

The Provincial Government is providing $14.4 million to support post-secondary students in school and in repayment of student loans, where interest payments have been cut by two and one-half percent. In addition, students can now access non-repayable, needs-based grants.

As well, an additional $25 million has been invested to maintain a freeze on tuition fees, which are now 60 per cent lower than the national average.

Helping high school students explore skilled trades and technology options is significantly improved with a $6 million commitment to the new Futures in Skilled Trades and Technology Program. It introduces the skilled trades at the high school level and provides students with hands-on experience with state of the art equipment.

As well, $2.8 million is allocated to expand training in the skilled trades at the post-secondary level and improve the apprenticeship system. This is reflected in the direction set out by the Skills Task Force.

Giving the people of the province better access to career and labour market services and the education and training tools they need to succeed also complements the Provincial Government�s approach to developing the economy. This means taking a diversified approach in which good business ideas are fostered and small business growth is encouraged.

This is the case in respect to investments by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development in Canada Ice Enterprises of St. Anthony and Dynamic Air Shelters Incorporated of Grand Bank.

The Provincial Government recently provided a $200,000 loan through the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Fund (SME) to enable the company to market its bottled water product, 80 Degrees North Iceberg Water, throughout Canada and into key markets across the United States. Fourteen people are expected to be hired this year.

In the case of Dynamic Air Shelters, a $250,000 loan through the SME will enable that company to continue its impressive growth. Having relocated to the province from Calgary, Dynamic Air Shelters manufactures inflatable shelters for a variety of markets including the promotional, medical, first response, and oil and gas sectors. Currently, 38 people work for the firm.

"These are significant indicators of a province that has turned the corner to embrace a sustainable and prosperous future," said Minister Skinner. "It is all the more reason to follow through on actions to continue this momentum and support growth through strategic investments in labour market and career services, education and skills training and in companies willing to embrace emerging opportunities in rural Newfoundland and Labrador."

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2007 06 08                                                   3:25 p.m.